Russia celebrates 625th anniversary of The Battle of Kulikovo

The victory in the battle gave rise to the new era in the history of Ancient Russia

Russia celebrates the 625th anniversary of The Battle of Kulikovo today, on September 21. Festive celebrations were presumably organized in the Tula region of Russia, where the battle took place. The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Alexy II, participated in the celebration of the important historical anniversary.

The Battle of Kulikovo took place on September 8 (September 21 on the new calendar) in 1380. Russian armies under the command of Grand Duke of Vladimir, Dmitry Donskoy, battled with the troops of the Tatar khan Mamai, a strong military leader of the Golden Horde on the Kulikovo Field. The battle resulted in a Russian victory for the first time since the start of the Tatar and Mongol invasion in the middle of the 13th century. Sergy Radonezhsky, one of the most honorable saints in Ancient Russia, blessed the combined Russian armies before the battle.

The victory in The Battle of Kulikovo is considered to be the beginning of Russia's liberation from the Tatar yoke, which was finally completed a hundred years later. Some historians, however, believe that the battle was a fight within the scope of a civil war. They affirm that there were both Russian and Tatar warriors in the two armies. In addition, some Tatar public figures protest against the celebration of the Kulikovo Battle anniversary. They believe that those who try to stir up international strife and hostility in Russia use the historical date in their selfish needs. The majority of Russians believe, however, that such a point of view is absolutely groundless.